Minutes of the Environment and Planning meeting held at 7pm on Monday 25th June 2007
in the Town Hall, Hungerford
Present: Cllrs Scorey, Harries, Liddiard, Wilson, Acworth, Hudson & Thompson
1) Apologies for absence
Cllr Bullock
2) Declaration of Interests
Cllr Harries – Personal Interest: left the room for part of the discussion re: 07/00843/HOUSE – 57A Fairview Road
Cllr Scorey – Personal Interest: left the room during item 5) App. No. 07/00843/HOUSE – 57A Fairview Road
Cllr Scorey – Personal Interest: left the room during item 8) 07/00843/HOUSE – 57A Fairview Road
3) Minutes of 5th June 2007
Proposed: Cllr Acworth. Seconded: Cllr Thompson. Vote: All in favour. The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record by Cllr Scorey.
Proposed: Cllr Scorey. Seconded: Cllr Harries. Vote: All in favour. To bring items 5 & 8 (only item 07/00843/HOUSE – 57A Fairview Road) to the beginning of the meeting as two members of the public were present for these items.
THE ORDER OF THESE MINUTES REFLECT THE ORDER OF THE MEETING
5) App. No. 07/00843/HOUSE – 57A Fairview Road
Letter from West Berkshire re: Committee’s letter of objection
Cllr Scorey explained application history to date for the benefit of the public:
- application had been discussed and a ‘no objection’ had been decided
- form was sent to West Berkshire Planning Department
- 2/3 days later Cllr Harries found and objection e-mail dated before the meeting in which the application was discussed and suggest a site visit was necessary
- Cllr Scorey e-mailed all Committee Members (excluding Cllr Liddiard who doesn’t have e-mail) asking if who felt a site visit was necessary
- all Committee Members wanted a site visit
- Cllr Scorey arrange a site visit
- At the next E & P meeting the Committee decided that it wished to change its comments to that of ‘object’ and passed the resolution that Cllr Scorey should write to West Berkshire Planning Department explaining this
- Cllr Scorey wrote to the West Berkshire Planning Department
- Cllr Scorey then explained to the Committee that due to a complaint made by a member of the public about her conduct, that she did not wish to discuss at this meeting, she would leave the meeting – and did so.
8) Planning Application
07/00843/HOUSE - 57A Fairview Road
Two storey extension to provide enlarged kitchen and utility room. Enlarged Bedroom and additional bedroom to loft area.
Amended drawings/plans – for information only. Main changes: “single storey extension moved 1.4m away from boundary”.
Minutes taken by Cllr Hudson on items 5 & 8 above::
Attended by Cllrs: Acworth, Wilson, Liddiard, Harries, Hudson and Thompson.
(Note that Cllr Scorey had left the room)
Cllr Harries reminded the room that he declares an interest as he is in discussion with Mr Whiting of 57a Fairview Road on another matter. (He did not vote on any issue)
RT read out the letter received from WBC Gary Lugg in response to the HTC which changed the view of the Council due to other new information coming to light. Councillors also read the letter from Mr Whiting which complained about the conduct of Cllr Scorey.
RT then requested comment from Councillors regarding the conduct of Cllr Scorey on this matter. There was unanimous agreement that Cllr Scorey had not influenced their decisions. She had responded to new information becoming available and only set up a site visit in response to request from other Cllrs.
Standing Orders were suspended: Proposed Cllr Liddiard, seconded Cllr Wilson & unanimously carried.
Mr Davis the architect spoke on a number of matters and explained the changes to the application. He said that he had taken into account the comments from WBC so light standards were met. Cllrs asked questions about this and he explained the 60 degree rule and that the standards were met.
The neighbour, Mr Simpson then explained how he remained concerned about the effects of light on his kitchen window. He said that when they built their extension they had 1.9m to their equivalent neighbour, but this was closer at just 1.4m from theirs.
Standing Orders were reinstated: Proposed Cllr Liddiard, seconded Cllr Hudson & unanimously carried.
Cllrs discussed the issues and there was recognition that it was likely that there would still be some impact, but it had become quite technical with the 60 degree rule issue. It was proposed by Cllr Acworth and seconded by Cllr Wilson & unanimously carried that a letter is sent to WBC by Cllr Thompson which stated:
‘While the revised plans appear to meet the required light standards, due to the orientation of the properties, we remain concerned about the effects on daylight to the neighbour.
We would suggest that the planning officer and committee carry out a site visit before making a decision.’
AGENDA CONTINUED IN CORRECT ORDER
4) Future Projects
Acknowledge that 2010+ have accepted the Committee’s invitation to work with them with regard to the LDF and note that the 2010+ Group would like to be involved in any meetings the Committee arranges to discuss the matter.
Proposed: Cllr Acworth. Seconded Cllr: Wilson. Vote: All in favour. To write to the CEO of West Berkshire Council and invite the relevant West Berkshire representative to address the Committee with regards to the LDF. Cllr Scorey to write.
5) see minutes above
6) App. No. 06/02946 – Owls Rest, 2 Newtown
Letter from West Berkshire re: revisions made and amended plans approved
Committee response – no action necessary
7) Wind Turbine at Membury Services
Discuss whether the Committee wishes to comment
Proposed: Cllr Liddiard. Seconded: Cllr Harries. Vote: All in favour. To write to the relevant body (Hungerford Environmental Action Team HEAT to advise who that is) in support of the Wind Turbine. Supporting the sentiments of the HEAT comments. Cllr Scorey to write.
8) Planning Applications
07/01039/LBC2 Three Swans Hotel, 117 High Street – Western Land Plc – Mr Steve Hodges Support
Installation of solar panels to new extension
Proposed: Cllr Acworth. Seconded: Cllr Wilson. Vote: All in favour.
Reasons: None. Do not wish to speak.
07/01142/FUL Somerfield Stores, Everland Road – Alliance And Leicester No Objections
Installation of automated teller machine
Proposed: Cllr Acworth. Seconded: Cllr Liddard. Vote: All in favour.
Reasons: None. Do not wish to speak.
07/01136/LBC 2 Faulknor Square, Charnham Street – Mr N Shipman No Objections
Re-tiling roofs. Replace all cement fillits with lead flashing. Re-tiling of rear tile hanging. Repair and add upvc guttering at rear to match existing. Replace dormer window sashes to match existing. Re-point end gabel wall to match existing
Proposed: Cllr Harries. Seconded: Cllr Wilson. Vote: All in favour.
Reasons: None. Do not wish to speak.
07/01164/HOUSE 23 The Croft – Mr & Mrs P Doherty No Objections
Ground floor extension to rear of house and addition of dormer window to roof
Proposed: Cllr Harries. Seconded: Cllr Wilson. Vote: 6 in favour / 1 abstention.
Reasons: None. Do not wish to speak.
07/00843/HOUSE 57A Fairview Road
Two storey extension to provide enlarged kitchen and utility room. Enlarged Bedroom and additional bedroom to loft area.
Amended drawings/plans – for information only. Main changes: “single storey extension moved 1.4m away from boundary”.
see minutes above
07/00803/ADV 118 High Street
New bank signage.
Amended drawings/plans – for information only. Main changes: “sign changed to non-illuminated individual letters”.
Committee response – no action necessary
9) Saving the Planet: What Berkshire can do
Note leaflet re: One Day Conference; consider Committee representation
Proposed: Cllr Harries. Seconded: Cllr Liddiard. Vote: All in favour. That Cllr Acworth represent the Committee or if he is otherwise engaged select a member of the HEAT group to attend and report back to the Committee. Cllr Scorey to request the fee of £20 from the Finance & General Purposes Committee (F & GP).
10) Case Officer’s Reports
07/00678/HOUSE 26 Kennedy Meadow Granted
Two storey side extension
07/00758/FUL The Cuttings, High Street Granted
Installation of bay windows to north elevation shop frontages of units 2 and 5
07/00482/FUL Hungerford Nursery School Granted
Construction of pitched roof canopy to front extension
05/01381/FUL St Lawrence’s Church Withdrawn
Replace the existing 8m flag pole with a 9m pole which will encase 3no. panel antennas and the installation of 1no. 0.3m dish on the existing tower rooftop. Demolish and replace the existing boiler room and oil tank room
07/00791/HOUSE 22 Ramsbury Drive Granted
Two storey extension to provide enlarged kitchen and en suite facility to master bedroom
07/00743/HOUSE 11 Atherton Crescent Granted
Relocate bathroom from ground floor to first floor. Convert roof space to bedroom
11) App. No. 06/01513/FULD – 60 Priory Road
Letter from West Berkshire re: Contribution towards the improvement of existing public open spaces
Proposed: Cllr Scorey. Seconded Cllr: Harries. Vote: All in favour. To refer the confirmation letter of receipt of the monies to the F & GP Committee. Cllr Scorey to pass on.
Meeting closed: 8:45pm
Signed………………………………….
Chairman, Environment and Planning Committee
Monday 9th July 2007